It was 11 am in the morning. Thabal sat on the swing, reading her notes and rewriting it. Practicing it over and over as she had been skipping class for many days. Vikram didn't go to the station like usual. He remained home, saying that he would go in the afternoon after lunch.
He had been sitting on the couch, talking to an officer in his laptop. Thabal didn't hear his words, or rather didn't concentrate on it. The swing swayed along with the wind. It was bright and sunny till 10:30 am. But it seems like it will rain soon.
Few last raindrops before winter enters. Thabal momentarily look up at the sky. The clouds have hid the sun behind them. The sky was grey and angry. For a moment she just wanted to go out, and get soaked in the rain. But then the consequences that will follow, also the scoldings from Vikram, refrain herself from following her inner urge.
She wasn't a big fan of rain. Yet the best memories of hers were made in rain. She smiled slightly at the thought. Just then she flinched as a heavy arm circled around her shoulders. But as soon as the familiar touch and scent engulfed her, she calmed down, leaning against his hold.
Vikram placed his cheek against her head, closing his eyes.
"Itna jyada bhi mat padho. Dimag pe kuch nahi rahega" he tapped on her head playfully. Thabal frowned at it.
"Aapki wajah se hi huwa hai!!! Samjhe! Toh aap na hi bole kuch. Mujhe classes attend toh karne de nahi rahe. Kaha se padhai hoga mera" she huffed, annoyed. Vikram smiled slightly and kissed her temple gently.
He walked near her and sat on the swing, he adjusted his body and laid his head on her lap, finding his peace.
"Parso chale jana. Till then, take complete rest. Let yourself heal baby. Don't take things lightly which includes you" he said softly yet sternly. He closed his eyes and released a deep breath.
Thabal looked at his resting figure. The swing was small for his huge body. Yet he was clinging to her, trying to touch her by any means. A soft smile appeared on her lips.
She looked at his face and caressed his whole face. Tracing his forehead, cheeks, nose, jaw and chin. She knew how much he cares for her. Such an amount that nobody could do for her. His love and care for her was sometimes too overwhelming.
Her fingers stopped at his jaw where a purplish bruise was still evident. She sighed looking at it and slowly caressed it.
"Abhi bhi dard ho raha hai?" She asked gently, to which Vikram shook his head in no.
"Aap bolte kyu nahi kuch. Kisne kiya yeh. Aur kitna jor se mara dekho. Idhar bhi dagg hai"she hissed in annoyance and anger. Vikram chuckled and opened his eyes to look at her. Her expressions were so cute, he just wanted to kiss her till she lost her breath.
"Bola toh tha babu. Kuch gunde ke saath lafda hogaya tha. Toh hatapayi mein lag gaya mujhe bhi kuch" he sighed. Thabal squinted her eyes at him, as if telling him that she still didn't believe him.
"Aese kaise aapko lag gaya. Mujhe ullu samajte ho aap? Aapko kon hi marega jab tak aap allow karo. Pata nahi sab sidha sidha kuch clear kyu nahi karte" she said and looked away from him. Vikram sighed and took her hand, he placed a kiss on her palm.
"It was all a plan baby. So that he could hit me. I deliberately made him hit me so that I could trap him. Samjhi?" He explained gently, making her look at him again. She looked at him for a few seconds before caressing his cheek again.
"Mujhe bohot gussa aa raha hai uss insaan pe. How dare he! Kabhi mile na toh muh todh dungi mein uska. Ughhh!" She grunted in frustration and anger. Vikam couldn't help but smile at her. Her being angry at the unknown person who beat him made his heart soften. He felt his heart doing a flip in his chest.
Vikram reached up, his large hand gently cupping her neck to pull her down. He placed a kiss on her lips and laid back on her lap.
"Meri gundi. Calm down. Let's not go hyper. I have made sure he learns where his place is. Tum be fikar raho, hm?" he teased, his voice dropping into that low, affectionate rumble.
"Phir bhi. Seeing you hurt, it makes me feel so helpless and angry. I don't want to see you hurt. Ever. I can't bear seeing any bruises on you" Thabal huffed and pouted, her fingers still tracing the purple mark on his jaw.
Vikram's eyes softened, the intensity of his gaze making her breath hitch. He didn't answer with words. Instead, he pulled her hand to his lips, kissing each of her knuckles with a slow, deliberate devotion. The anger in her eyes began to melt, replaced by that familiar, shy warmth.
"Aese baatein bologi na toh aur pyaar karne lag jaunga mein" he husked out making her shy.
"Aghh! Flirt karna band karo aap" she looked away, her ears turning red. Vikram let out a laugh at it.
The moment was interrupted by Thabal's phone ringing. She looked at her left where she kept her phone on top of the books, on the swing. The caller ID made her freeze.
Chiche🫂💗
Calling .....
For the first time, she was hesitant to pick up her call. She didn't want to face her nor her family. Thabal closed her eyes for a second, biting her inner cheek.
Vikram looked at her expression and noticed something was wrong. He looked at her screen to see the call still ringing. He looked back at her and gave a squeeze to her hand.
"Baby. Don't be scared. I am here, haina? Pick it up. Talk confidently. Don't waver, don't be scared. Baat karo" he assured. Thabal looked at him for a moment and then looked at her phone. The incoming call turned into a missed call.
She picked up the phone and called back. Within just a few rings her sister picked it up.
"T-thoi" her sister's trembling voice reached her ears. She felt her soul being shaken up. She gripped Vikram's hand tightly. Vikram placed a kiss on their intertwined hands, silently assuring her.
"Hmm" she hummed back.
"N-ng kamai tawrige? Are you okay?" Her sister asked hesitantly.
(H-how are you?)
"Umm. Yeah. I am fine" Thabal answered. She wanted to say many things. Question her. But she didn't have any words at that moment.
"I-i am sorry thoi. I am sorry. I was helpless, i couldn't do anything" her sister cried with regret. Thabal didn't say anything. She just remained quiet. But internally she felt her heart bleeding. No matter what, Nungshi did hold a soft spot in her heart.
Nungshi was just another child, blind of her parents' behaviour. She didn't see their behaviour with Thabal. She did see, but she chose not to go deep on it. She dismissed the thought of Thabal being unloved by their parents.
She could never protect Thabal from them. Yet in between all the chaos, she was the only one supporting and loving Thabal. For which, she will remain forever grateful for.
"Papa do. Jail da changkhare. Ngarang nungthang police lakna fhakhare. Mama su custody da lei. Ma su jail da changbei chance lei. E-eie keitawdoino khangdre da thoi. I am so helpless right now. I feel like shit. I am not able to do anything" Nungshi dropped the bomb. Thabal froze hearing it. What?
(Papa was taken by the police last night. He has been jailed. Mama is in custody too. She also has the high chance to go to jail. I don't know what to do thoi)
"Huh? Kei? Kamaina? Keino ng haido che?" Thabal asked bewildered. What happened all of a sudden? Nungshi just weeped softly. She couldn't do anything more than cry.
(What? How? What are you saying sister?)
"Papa da mana retired oidri ngeigi mamang da fraud ki cases pallaki mina. Mama da ng gi kidnapping, forcefully luhonghanbei and abuse ki charges ni" she revealed.
(Papa is accused of a few fraud cases to his clients before he retired. Mama is charged for kidnapping, forcing for marriage and abusing you)
Thabal couldn't utter anything, because she herself was shocked and speechless. She didn't expect things to turn like this. Never. But a part of her was still calm. That part was comforting and consoling her. Telling her to calm down.
Thabal spoke after a moment.
"Eina du cases singdo file tawri natte che. It doesn't matter to me anymore. I have moved on from them. I won't meet them or step my feet on Imphal again" she sighed.
(I didn't file the cases sister)
"Eie khangi thoi. I know you didn't file it. I-" Nungshi couldn't complete as Thabal interrupted.
(I know thoi)
"Then what do you want to say chiche? Why did you call me? What do you want me to do? When you already know I wasn't the one who filed the case, why did you even inform me all these news. Honestly speaking, eie taningde moi maram da. Moi moithokpa tawjani. Eie eigi life shanti da amta leige. Eie gi punshi se eie amukta nungaina leijage" Thabal blurted out her frustration. Nungshi went quiet. She couldn't utter anything.
(I don't want to hear anything about them. Let them do what they want to. Let me live my life in peace. For once please let me live my life peacefully)
Thabal sighed and closed her eyes for a second.
"Che. Ng nggi thabak ta mamon changna taw. Fhajana afhaba, achawba mi ama oiu. Ng desa mathaw tarakasu you can call me. Except if it's related to them" she deadpanned.
(Sister, concentrate on your job and do well. Be a good and successful person. You can call me whenever you need my help)
"Eie thamage. Esa khra nungaite eie" with that she ended the call and kept her phone away.
(I will keep. I am not feeling well)
Thabal sighed and then her eyes fell on Vikram, who was laying on her lap and looking at her, waiting for her to finish.
"I can't believe i said all those" she muttered and covered her face with her palm.
"It's okay. You needed to let that out" Vikram comforted her softly and caressed her waist. Though he didn't understand the meetei part. Hearing the english conversation, he detected the situation clearly.
"She called so that I would pity her and take back the case" she muttered and then smiled bitterly. Even in this situation she still loves her parents. And is trying to save them.
"Baby, it's okay. She will probably not call you again. And if she does, let me talk this time" Vikram assured, making her nod faintly. Thabal leaned back against the swing and let the iron sway to and fro.
They both stayed in silence for a moment.
"Vikram" until she decided to break it.
"Hmm?"
"Aapne file kiya tha na case?" Vikram's movement on her waist stopped for a spilt second. And then he gathered himself slowly.
"Hmm. Meine hi kiya tha" he admitted. His voice sounded cool and casual. But under, he was dreading for her reaction. He didn't wanted to redraw the case. But he knew he have to if she requested him to.
He didn't know how will she react. Will she be angry? Sad? Disappointed? Betrayed? Emotional-
"Fraud wala case jyada nahi hogaya?" She asked making him froze.
"Huh?" Vikram looked at her in confusion. Thabal then looked at him slowly.
"Sab thik tha. But fraud? My father was a renowned lawyer. He has been very passionate about his job. It's like a heritage passed down in the family. He carries it like his pride. Itna toh pata hai mujhe, woh marke bhi fraud toh nahi karega kabhi" she revealed. Vikram looked at her for a moment before sighing.
"I couldn't just leave him like that. He needed to get the karma back" was all he said. Thabal didn't said anything for a few seconds.
"Aapne fake proofs manage kaise kiya?" Vikram let out a chuckle at her question.
"You are underestimating your man, Chand" he lifted his brow at her cockily. Thabal rolled her eyes at it and looked away. But a small smile crept on her face.
"Itna sab kuch karne ki kya jarurat thi. It doesn't matter anyways. Whether woh kya karte hai ya nahi" she muttered slowly. The clouds roaring, signalling rain. Vikram looked at her intently.
"I will do anything for you Thabal. Anything. I have just merely punished the people who have hurted you. Your father should be thankful meine uski haadi nahi todi. He is old so i didn't use any kind of violence with him. Or else I wouldn't have let him enjoy the privilege of walking on his feet" he rasped out. Thabal looked at him stunned.
She looked down at him. The man who had just admitted to dismantling her father's life and reputation was looking at her with nothing but pure, unshielded tenderness.
"I love you so much Thabal" he whispered. And then the rain started pouring down heavily. The sound of the raindrop hitting the roof, filled their ears. Thabal smiled softly at him.
"I love you Vikram" she murmured back.
"You know. I never loved rains. It ruined my days. My plans would be cancelled. But i love rain now. I love seeing it with you" she confessed and raked her fingers in his hair. Vikram looked at her intently.
He slowly sat up and sat closed to her. He kept his arm around her and let his hand drop on her arm. His heart swelled hearing her. Blood rushed in his viens. He was blushing internally.
"You know chand. Before meeting you. I was just a lost man. I didn't really have any aim for life. I didn't know why was I even living. I was like a machine. Will work my ass off, eat and sleep. Just that. The only time I felt emotions were when i would be dealing with criminals. That was only time I felt thrilling and excited" he leaned his head against hers, watching the rain pouring together.
"But after I met you. Mein apne ghar wapas aagaya. Bhatak gaya tha chalte-chalte bich raaste mein" Thabal felt her heart thudding hearing him. Her heartbeat was racing, yet warming up.
"A-aap kabhi mujhse bore nahi hoge na?" She asked meekly, looking at him. Vikram caressed her cheek gently.
"Pyaar kabhi khatam nahi hota Thabal. It never fades. And if it does. Toh woh pyaar nahi tha kabhi. And i love you. I love you more than my own life. You are the reason I want to live" he murmured slowly. Thabal looked at him with eyes filled of emotions.
"Agar kabhi mujhse pyaar karna band kardiya toh bohot marungi mein. Majak nahi kar rahi" she warned, glaring at him. Vikram let out a genuine laugh at that.
He pulled her to his lap and hugged her closed. He smiled and kissed on her cheek.
"I am sorry to say that baby. But I don't think so i will ever get the privilege of being beaten by you" he whispered teasingly, making her hit him on his chest.
"Hamesha majak" she muttered and pushed him, making him chuckle.
"Chai piwogi?" He asked her, gazing at her face. Her beautiful face which drives him crazy.
"Mujhe nahi banana. I feel too lazyyy" she whined and pouted. Vikram chuckled and pecked her pout.
"Mein kisliye hoon? I will make it. Saath pe kuch khana hai?" He asked making her grin.
"Haan!!!! Aloo tikki" she exclaimed in excitement. Vikram smiled and stood up. He signalled her, showing his back to her.
Thabal laughed and lunged at him, jumping at him, making him stumble forward. Vikram chuckled at her silliness and held her safely.
"Chalooo to kitchen!!" She shouted and Vikram walked out of the room, carrying her on his back.
The sound of Thabal's bright, unfiltered laughter echoed through the hallway, drowning out the heavy drumming of the rain outside. For a man who had spent years living in a house that felt more like a silent fortress than a home, the weight of her against his back was the only anchor he ever wanted to feel.
_________🌸_________
Hope you enjoyed it
Stay safe sweeties🦥🦋✨
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